Golden Residence Hotel

We stayed here as a group of 14. The hotel exceeded our expectations! We all had side sea view rooms in block C, Spacious, comfortable, clean rooms with bonus of a fridge and kettle. Breakfast and dinner buffets were great, there was even porridge!! Plenty of choice, even for vegetarians. Staff were professional and helpful , special mention to the restaurant manager who was so friendly and cheerful, organised a group table for us for dinner and made sure we had excellent service. The spotlessly clean pool and surrounding grounds were the perfect place to relax with a stunning view. Easy to exchange tokens for pool towels at reception. Location was perfect, easy bus ride or walk along the lido promenade to Funchal. We all loved our stay and cannot fault this hotel.

Our 2nd visit to this fabulous hotel on this beautiful island. The staff are excellent, so friendly and cannot do enough for you. Everything is so clean and the views from block C are fantastic. We had the indoor pool and hot tub all to ourselves one afternoon which was lovely. Great facilities and a perfect holiday

Had a great time view from balcony beautiful would recommend

Really nice hotel good loction recommend to everyone safe friendly cant complain

We stayed at this hotel at the end of February for ten days. Appreciating we all have different expectations during our holidays our stay here was a wonderful experience. We stayed in block C - Which is closest to the outside pool and gardens. Our apar**ent was quite large and well furnished/equipped and came with a side sea view. We decided to go self catering which allowed us much more freedom to explore Madeira. We also had a balcony with a good sized table and four decent chairs! We sat here most evenings watching the spectacular sunsets! [usually with a glass of locally produced wine]. We found the hotel to be very quiet most nights apart from the occasional dog barking in the distance. It was not a serious distraction and was beyond the control of the hotel management. It certainly did not distract me from my slumber! The hotel gardens are spectacular with plenty of seating and amazing views of the coastline. Bar staff regularly visit to take orders for drinks! No need to walk to the bar inside the hotel. Plenty of free sunbeds and parasols available for those wishing to spend the day sunbathing! We found the reception staff both friendly and helpful. The beach at Praia Formosa is just a short walk from the hotel and like most beaches on volcanic islands is dark in colour with lots of stones and shingle. You can also walk along the beach all the way to the picturesque fishing village of Câmara de Lobos if you wish. However, when we tried in February the trail was closed and we had to walk back to the hotel. I suggest you check to see if it is now open before making the journey! If it is you can always take the bus. For the more adventurous you can walk from the hotel to Funchal along a very attractive trail that follows the coastline. It takes about thirty to forty five minutes with plenty of benches along the way. Alternatively, you can catch a bus from outside the hotel that takes you to the central bus station in Funchal. They are frequent and cost about two euros per person each way. [as of February 2024] Shopping is easy! If you walk out from the hotel turn left and within a few hundred yards you will find a large Continente supermarket. It has everything you need at very fair prices. The food is fresh especially the fruit and vegetables. Try the fish counter - the selection is amazing and very cheap. This is our favourite supermarket throughout Portugal. Alternatively, if you turn right on leaving the hotel along Estrada Monumental you will quickly come to a shopping centre that has many retailers including: C&A, Zara and Pingo Doce - another supermarket with a wide selection of groceries on offer at reasonable prices. Local wine is very cheap and excellent quality. You can buy a bottle at the supermarket for less than 5 euros. If you are a smoker I suggest you purchase your tobacco on the flight over. The selection is very limited in Madeira and rolling tobacco is mainly local brands that you will never have heard of previously. Al